Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –
Emma Midgley, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communication
From strengthening safeguards and helping countries build resilient nuclear fuel supply chains to enhancing radiation protection for patients, 2026 will be an eventful year for the IAEA and its global community.
Among the many highlights of the year, the 70th IAEA General Conference will take place from 14 to 18 September in Vienna. Nuclear decision makers from countries around the world will come together to chart the Agency’s future and reaffirm their commitment to the peaceful, safe and secure use of nuclear science and technology.
This milestone session will reflect on seven decades of impact while addressing the challenges and opportunities ahead — from nuclear energy to the IAEA’s work in cancer care, industry and food security. Below is a guide to some of the major conferences, symposia and other events planned in 2026 by the IAEA.
March — Nuclear Energy Summit
Nuclear Energy Summit
10 March, Paris, France.
The second Nuclear Energy Summit will be hosted by the Government of France in Paris. It follows on from a previous nuclear energy summit in 2024, in which world leaders gathered in Brussels to highlight the role of nuclear energy in enhancing energy security and boosting economic development.
International Conference on the Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material
23–27 March, Vienna, Austria
Every year, around 20 million shipments of nuclear and radioactive material support peaceful uses of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, industry, agriculture and research. In March, stakeholders will convene in Vienna to explore how design certification, regulatory frameworks, supply chains and new technologies can reinforce safety and security across all transport modes.
Find out more at the conference website.
The IAEA conducts field exercises on transport security of nuclear material. (Image: IAEA)
April — Enhanced Nuclear and Radiation Safety and Security through Regulatory Systems
International Conference on Effective Nuclear and Radiation Regulatory Systems (RegCon2026)
27–30 April, Vienna, Austria
Regulators and stakeholders will share practices for effective, agile and connected regulatory “ecosystems” that keep pace with innovation and emerging challenges. The 2026 edition follows Abu Dhabi 2023 and earlier meetings since 2006, with a focus on sharing good practices and experiences across the global regulatory community to further enhance nuclear and radiation safety and security.
The IAEA has worked with researchers to carry out cyberattack simulations on a simulator.
May — Computer Security in the Nuclear World
International Conference on Computer Security in the Nuclear World: Securing the Future (CyberCon26)
11–15 May, Vienna, Austria
As digital systems play an essential role in all aspects of the management and safe and secure operation of nuclear facilities, CyberCon26 will address computer security and potential threats and risks. The conference will bring together regulators, operators and specialists to explore six core themes from computer security by design to emerging digital technologies.
5th International Conference on Fast Reactors and Related Fuel Cycles (FR26)
18–21 May, Beijing, China
Fast neutron reactors — and the fuel cycles that support them — are widely recognized as key to the long term sustainability of nuclear power. Compared to conventional thermal reactors, fast reactors can extract far more energy from uranium while significantly reducing high-level radioactive waste. Hosted by China in 2026, FR26 will build on prior conferences (Kyoto 2009, Paris 2013, Yekaterinburg 2017, Vienna 2022), engage young professionals, and spotlight progress in sodium, lead, gas and molten salt cooled concepts, as well as how fuels and fuel cycles can be developed for these advanced systems.
Read more: What are Molten Salt Reactors?
The E-beam facility is currently located at the IAEA’s laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria. (Image: IAEA)
June — E-Beams for Industry, Environment and Research
Training Workshop on the Transportable Electron Beam System
17–19 June, IAEA Seibersdorf Laboratory, Austria
The workshop forms part of the IAEA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the technical capacity of its Member States in the application of advanced radiation technologies for industrial, environmental and research purposes.
A transportable electron beam system was launched during last year’s IAEA General Conference to be loaned out for training and experiments.
IAEA International Conference on Accelerators for Research and Sustainable Development
22–26 June, Vienna, Austria
Particle accelerators have many applications in science and industry, with significant societal and economic impact in areas such as health, environment, food safety, energy and cultural heritage. The second conference in this series will highlight advances in compact and large facilities, best practices in sustainable operation, and accelerator enabled solutions aligned with the IAEA flagship initiatives Atoms4Food, Atoms4NetZero, NUTEC Plastics, Rays of Hope and ZODIAC.
Read more: What are Particle Accelerators?
June–July — Learning from the Past to Enhance Safety at Nuclear Installations
International Conference on Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety (TIC2026)
29 June–3 July, Vienna, Austria
Since 1998, Topical Issues in Nuclear Installation Safety Conferences (TICs) have provided a global platform to share best practices at nuclear installations, from design, siting and construction to operation and regulation. TIC2026 will emphasize how insights gained from past projects and events can help to make future projects more effective, efficient and safe. The conference will address both continuous safety improvements for nuclear power plants currently in operation and strengthening the safety of advanced designs such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and next generation nuclear power plants.
Read more: What are Small Modular Reactors?
September – IAEA General Conference
IAEA General Conference 2026
14-18 September Vienna, Austria
Every year in September, leaders, scientists and representatives of our 180 member countries gather in Vienna for one of the biggest annual events for nuclear decision-making: the IAEA General Conference. Delegates debate and decide on issues that shape the agency’s work — from budgets and programmes to peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology and energy.
The General Conference helps set the IAEA’s course for the year ahead, ensuring that its activities remain effective, relevant, and responsive to global needs
October — Enhancing Radiation Medicine Patient Safety
October — International Symposium on Standards, Applications, and Quality Assurance in Medical Radiation Dosimetry (IDOS3)
5-9 October Vienna, Austria
Medical radiation dosimetry refers to the science and practice of measuring the dose of ionizing radiation delivered to a patient during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. IDOS3 will continue the work of previous symposia in 2010 and 2019 reviewed advances in dosimetry standards, audits and quality assurance across radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine, underpinning patient safety and measurement traceability.
Read more: What is Radiation Therapy?
What are Radiopharmaceuticals?
Building Resilient Fuel Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future International Conference on Fuel Supply Chain for Sustainable Nuclear Power Development
13–15 October, Vienna, Austria
With countries planning to expand nuclear power to meet climate and energy security goals, the front end of the fuel cycle — from uranium exploration to enrichment and fabrication — faces rising demand. The conference will address conventional fuels and advanced nuclear fuels such as HALEU, which is uranium enriched up to 20%, for advanced reactors. It will also explore other aspects of the supply chain, such as new fuel design concepts, circular economy approaches and other innovations. An essay competition for young professionals invites early career perspectives ahead of the event.
Read more: IAEA Launches Competition on Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain
November — Safeguards Symposium
Symposium on International Safeguards
9-13 November, Vienna, Austria
Held every four years, the IAEA Symposium on International Safeguards brings together global stakeholders in support of IAEA safeguards. It is an opportunity for safeguards regulatory authorities, the research and development community, industry and civil society to identify challenges and opportunities for IAEA safeguards, highlight research, share ideas, and build partnerships. The 2026 symposium follows the 2022 event Reflecting on the Past and Anticipating the Future
December — Managing Nuclear Power Plants for Decades of Safe, Reliable Operation
6th International Conference on Nuclear Power Plant Life Management (PLiM 6)
7–11 December, Tokyo, Japan
With the average global reactor age now over 30 years, long term operation hinges on effective ageing management of structures, systems and components. The PLiM 6 conference will share strategies, innovations and programme approaches that sustain safety and performance — supporting the long term operation of nuclear power plants beyond 60 years.
Nuclear Power Ministerial Conference
A ministerial level gathering on nuclear power is under consideration. Details will be published on the IAEA events portal.
Board of Governors
The IAEA’s Board of Governors will meet in March 2-6, June 08-12, before and after the General Conference on September 7-11 and September 21 and from November 16-20, when it will include the technical assistance and cooperation committee (TACC).
For a comprehensive list of all the meetings and events in 2026 at the IAEA, click here.